The Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Transnational Organized Crime

Abstract

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent restriction on freedom of movement and closure of state borders in most countries, transnational organized crime throughout the world has encountered unprecedented difficulties in pursuing its criminal goals. However, these difficulties prompted her to search for new opportunities, methods and ways of criminal activity. The movement of smuggled goods, trafficking of people across state borders, as well as the use of traditional methods of extortion and corruption schemes have become much more difficult due to the tightening of control and ban on many areas of human activity, primarily international transport of goods and people, as well as the use by most governments of tough measures, including the introduction of a state of emergency, curfew and the restriction of fundamental constitutional freedoms of citizens.

Transnational organized crime is a multifaceted area of criminal activity and the peak of the pandemic has not yet been reached in all countries, this is why it is too early to summarize the final results of the impact on human civilization and the international economy of its consequences. Therefore, at this stage it is possible to consider only the preliminary consequences of the ambiguous impact of the pandemic on transnational organized crime.

The United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime does not define “transnational organized crime” (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, 2004). It also does not list the types of crime that may constitute it. This lack of definition was intended to ensure wider application of UNTOC to new types of crimes that constantly appear as global, regional and local conditions change over time. (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Retrieved on May 27, 2020). But the Convention contains the definition of an “organized criminal group”, which consists of three or more people, that was not randomly formed, exists for a certain period of time, acts in concert with the aim of committing at least one crime punishable by imprisonment for a term of at least four years, in order to obtain, directly or indirectly, financial or other material benefits (Ibid.). According to the UNODC, the term “transnational crime” refers to crimes committed in more than one state, or it is planned in one state, and committed in another. It is interpreted as covering almost all serious criminal activity motivated by profit, which has international consequences. This definition takes into account the global complexity of the problem, but seems incomplete, since it does not include such a form of transnational organized crime as international terrorism, which is motivated not by profit, but by political or religious ideology.

Based on this approach to the definition of transnational organized crime, we can identify some of its types that have most changed criminal behavior as a result of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on politics and the economy:

1. The increasing role of cybercrime; 2. Expansion of the black market for medicines and medical equipment; 3. Expanding the social role of transnational organized crime groups; 4. Reducing the scope of human trafficking, illegal migration, as well as smuggling of drugs and other illegal goods.